DIGITAL PRODUCTION OF INDIRECT LAMINATE VENEERS USING MILLING AND 3D PRINTING TECHNIQUES

Abstract Indirect dental veneers are a common treatment option which is installed on the outer surface of the front teeth to improve aesthetic appearance. Veneers can be used to treat cracked teeth, discoloration, stains in the teeth, caries between teeth and close gaps between teeth. The purpose of this project is to describe the digital process of designing dental veneers and demonstrate the fabrication methods of indirect laminate veneers. A digital image of the patient's mouth is taken, then transferred to the computer and appropriate veneers are designed using a special program called Exo-CAD software. A milling and 3D printed machines were used to fabricate the designed veneers. Glass ceramic and nanocomposite materials were used to obtain the resulted veneers. A comparison between the two digital fabrication methods was made on the veneers in terms of fabrication time and material consumption. In addition to taking the notes for the technical processing of the manufacturing methods, physical appearance and retention on the models and the patient of the two veneer groups were evaluated. Digital approach has made the availability of making dental veneers possible with different materials and methods. Physical appearance with a precise adaptation on the teeth seems to be promising when the veneers are made using digital techniques. Despite the long processing production of Lithium desilicated milled veneers, but it seems that they exhibit better aesthetic outcomes.